Most of us want to do the good thing and have
no problem reaching for something that says green, organic or all natural on
our grocery shelves these days. Heck, we’re even willing to pay a little bit
more for them. It is the least we can do, right?

Well, while consumers are trying to do
their best, many companies are doing their best to make it look like they’re
doing anything besides looking for loopholes.

Most people don’t have time to research every
single green label they put in the shopping cart, so they’re putting their
faith into these companies telling the truth. However, that trust is often
betrayed.

Here are a few ways that companies lie to
us about being green.

Classic Misdirection

It’s a classic trick used by the oldest of
magicians. Do something flashy with the left hand while the right one does
something you don’t want people to see.

One company that has been accused of doing
this is LUSH
Cosmetics. They are well known for their aggressive ways of marketing the
fact that they don’t test their products on animals, using provocative ad
campaigns of testing on naked women.

With such a memorable impression tied to
this brand, you can only assume that a brand this committed to cruelty testing
is good across the board and also environmentally-friendly, right?

Not necessarily. They have also been
criticized for vague ingredient lists that have been known to contain parabens.

Weasel Words and Loopholes

Say everything, but promise nothing. This
is another tactic as old as marketing itself. Let the audience hear what they
want to hear, but always include an exit strategy in the sales copy. In previous
generations ads were full of weasel words that may have included:

Help: “This can help you lower your
cholesterol.” Help, but, definitely not by itself

Fight: “Help fight acne.” Fight, but,
definitely not cure

Today, however, green weasel words are more
specific but just as empty. For example, take the word “natural.” What would
you assume that word promises if you see it on a piece of meat at the grocery
store?

About 68% of consumers believe
that meat should come from animals fed no artificial growth hormones

Another 60% would assume it
means no GMOs

When in fact the FDA’s strict definition of
this word is vague at best, and nowhere in line with what the average consumer
assumes it means.

A shocking report from Consumer
Reports also shed some light on other words that we may trust, including
that the words “Humanely Raised” have no actual definition.

As a rule of thumb, the word “organic” is
more trustworthy than the word “natural.” For meat to be labeled organic, it
has to stay true to being raised without being given any sort of antibiotics or
growth hormones. The true definition of “natural” does not make these promises.

So what is an average consumer to do today?
Research the foods that you buy the most often so you can know that you’re
buying something legit. You can also turn the label around and read the
ingredient list to see what is really being used in an “all natural” product.

Do you want to warn us about any “fake
green” products? Let us know in the comments below.